Shanhaiguan Scenic Area — Attraction in Qinhuangdao

Impressive section of the Great Wall ! The usual spot for tourist would be the Mutianyu section. However if you want something special, this is the place to come. As this is the ONLY section where the Great Wall meets the sea.

It is possible to do a day trip out here from Beijing, it is a 2hr 15mins train ride from Beijing to Shanhaiguan station. Although there are a couple of trips daily but to make a day trip feasible, you have to take the only morning train which depart Beijing at 7am. And the last train back to Beijing departs at 5pm. Once you arrive at shanhaiguan station, simply just book a ride over, it’s only a 10min drive. Do note that the First Pass under heaven is not at the Dragon head (Great wall meets the sea) they are technically 2 different attractions located in Shanhai Pass

As the Great Wall was built over multiple dynasties and centuries so there are multiple different routes thus it’s hard to say definitively where is the start and end, however most of the Great Wall we see today was built during the Ming Dynasty and this section was further fortified and expanded. Thus many historians has agreed that this is the eastern end of the Great Wall or from the name suggest, the head of the Great Wall as the name is called Old Dragon head.

Visited on 11 January 2025, Saturday.

It wasn’t crowded at all. In fact it felt kinda empty with only few local...

If I were leading a Mongol Khanate to attack Han China, I would definitely be sure to scout out this section of the Great Wall. It's closest to the Sea of Japan, allowing for my left flank to be covered while I envelop the western fortifications and...

this is the 3rd portion of the great wall ive been.. They call it the Dragon's head because its the end of the great wall in the eastern part.. it is a major spot in history mainly in maritime defense...